Passed by Congress in 2010, “National Arts in Education Week is a national celebration recognizing the transformative power of the arts in education.” Starting on the second Sunday of September, the week of observation pays homage to the arts’ impact. This year, Prairie Music & Arts is joining artists, educators, and citizens like yourself to champion the arts and the importance of creativity in our daily lives.
As neuroscientist and author Jill Bolte Taylor shared in her book My Stroke of Insight, which documented her recovery from a stroke and the place the arts played in her journey, “Most of us think of ourselves as thinking creatures who feel, but we are actually feeling creatures who think.” From birth, our senses guide us, keeping us safe, connecting us with others, teaching us about love and empathy, bridging cultural divides, and enriching our daily experiences. For youth, the impact of the arts as a sensory-based activity is significant, offering moments to build the neural connections Bolte Taylor speaks of, supporting academic engagement, reducing chronic absenteeism, strengthening socio-emotional development, and increasing strategies for navigating mental health challenges.
We invite you to help us recognize the power of the arts to make a difference in our communities. Our Wisconsin arts community is a thriving $11.9 billion industry with over 89,000 jobs. Still, it ranks dead last in the nation in per capita spending for the arts, far behind Minnesota and Iowa, and we need your help to ensure the arts have a place at the table and are recognized for their value to our communities and the youth who learn and grow in them. Starting next week, you can support the arts in the following ways.
- Tell your friends and colleagues about Arts in Education Week.
- Send a special thanks to an arts educator for all they do.
- Contact legislative officials to express the importance of prioritizing the arts.
- Enjoy the diverse local artistic landscape: attend an art show, concert, or local theater performance.
- Support an artist or arts agency by donating to ensure they have the means to continue their vital work.
We hope you’ll join us in speaking about how the arts have benefited you by posting on social media, indicating #ArtsEdWeek.
There’s no time to waste. Our state’s creative sector depends on people like you to spread the word!
-Kari Walton, Prairie Music & Arts